Fresh Monk Fruit still on the tree
Monk Fruit (Luo Han Guo 羅漢果) is a sweet, herbal alternative to traditional sugar that is safe for diabetes. It is 250 times sweeter than cane sugar.
Monk fruit can moisten dry lungs and stop dry or heated coughing. Indications include dry cough with or without sputum. The sputum may be scanty, blood-streaked and/or difficult to expectorate. Other symptoms may include dry throat and tongue.
Monk Fruit is also ideal to use in the summer as it cools the body & relieves thirst. In Asia it is often used to sweeten drinks and used as a daily beverage in the summer. In can be decocted alone with water, then the fruit is removed and the liquid can me mixed with other flavors to make various beverages.
Monk Fruit is used to sweeten tea to make a refreshing summer drink.
Monk Fruit is used as a low calorie sugar substitute. It is moistening to the body overall, as are many sugars. This means that Monk Fruit can also benefit cases of dry stools or constipation. It’s probably not ideal for anyone with chronic diarrhea or chronic & profuse phlegm, which indicates an overly moist body environment or ‘dampness’.
To use: crack open the hard, outer shell and remove several small sections of the inner dried fruit. Soak fruit in 3-6 cups water for 10 minutes to soften and then boil for 15-20 minutes to extract the sweet and medicinal nature. Strain and mix with other flavors such as hibiscus tea.
New to the market is a refined Monk Fruit that is easy to use because it already extracted. You can see some options to buy it here.
Tags: luo han guo, monk fruit, natural sweeteners, 羅漢果
I did not know about this fruit and it is a great one for those suffering from diabetes and just generally. Thank you so much.
Comment by Diana Rogers — April 7, 2013 @ 11:04 am
This sounds like something I would like to try, but I have never seen it in the stores. Where can we buy it?
Comment by Jodi Host — May 31, 2013 @ 7:50 pm
I am always trying to substitute for cane sugar. I had never heard of this fruit. Is it available locally?
Comment by Kim O'Berry — August 7, 2013 @ 1:41 pm
We’re going to study Mormordica Fruit in the ‘Herb I’ class. You can get it at Ranch 99 in El Cerrito or Concord, or other Asian stores.
Comment by Lana — August 8, 2013 @ 3:34 pm